Evolution / Genetics / Biology

Ancient Chinese city of Xi'an may be 2,500 years older than originally thought

The city of Xi'an, the ancient capital of Shaanxi Province, located in the centre of the Guanzhong Plain in Northwestern China, may be 2,500 years older than originally estimated, according to new findings made at a nearby burial site.

Credit: Chinanews

The ancient graveyard, belonging to the Miaodigou period, was discovered northeast of the Yangguanzhai ruins, which belonged to a late Neolithic group known as the Yangshao. The new site has an area of 90,000 square metres and an estimated 2,000 tombs, China News Service reports.

Credit: Chinanews

The scale of the graveyard is unprecedented and the human remains are densely distributed, said Yang Liping, the chief archaeologist, noting that only 300 of them have so far been cleaned and checked.

Credit: Chinanews

The discovery of the tomb cluster, along with previous findings such as a giant Miaodigou moat, pottery at the west gate and artificial water conservation facilities, all point to a city constructed much further back in history.

Credit: Chinanews

It means the history of Xi'an can be dated back to the 5,500-year-old Maodigou period if all conclusions are verified.